Holywell Bay

Holywell Bay is located on the northern coast of the shire county of Cornwall. The town is located about halfway between Perranporth and Newquay. Imagine driving through Cornwall and easing into Holywell Bay’s town limits. Nearing the village, you find yourself surrounded by fields full of crops. Every once in awhile, you pass a few bike riders, out enjoying the sunny weather. After a few seconds, you see some development on the right. That’s always a good sign, and indicative that the village is healthy, with its economy growing. Then, a bright red sign welcomes you to Holywell Bay. You roll down a hill and see ocean against the horizon on the right, and buildings nestled against a hollow up ahead. Buildings start to crawl by on the right, some modern, others ancient. All around, people walk and talk, laugh and play. You pass a large house, next. Whether it’s a barn or a mansion, you’re not sure. But you know it’s gorgeous. The road twists to the left and you see sand in the road. You must be nearing a dune. A large building, either a hotel or an inn, creeps up on your right. Then you find yourself in a large parking lot. This is the area where one of the camping sites is located. Down a short path, there’s the golden beach. Holywell Bay is small, but it holds a great variety of interesting family attractions. There is an entertainment park in the village, which includes go-kart racing and other treats for visitors of all ages. There is also a golf course in the town, and it is slightly difficult, being a par 3 course. For those who want more stroke practice, there is a pitch and putt available. The course’s club house is open to both members and non-members, and no handicap is required to play the course. The beach, though, is by far the most striking attraction in Holywell Bay. The rolling dunes that run along the back side of the beach hold many different ecosystems, and children can spend hours looking for the dunes’ inhabitants. There are also rock pools near the beach, filled up by tides and inland streams. These can be used as wading pools for those who can’t swim and for small children. Additionally, there is one particular stream that runs through the sandy beach to the ocean that is a magnet to children of all ages, and their parents, too. There is often great surf on the beach, and the beach is patrolled by lifeguards during the peak beach-going season. Lifeguards often separate the body boarders and surfers to avoid any potential colliding accidents, and this reveals that the town of Holywell Bay is singularly concerned with the safety and welfare of their visitors. Visitors should pay attention to the undercurrents, though, that are sometimes strong in that area. There are dozens of different available accommodations in the area, including bed and breakfasts, self-catering cottages, hotels, and caravan sites. All of the local accommodations are staffed by friendly locals who can help you plan your perfect Cornwall holiday. And many of the accommodations have received top five star reviews from people who stay there year after year. As one guest put it, “Sites don’t get their five stars for nothing!” Whether you’re traveling alone, with your family, or with a large group, Holywell Bay has a place for every taste. Just how did Holywell Bay get its name? History says that a holy well was a source of water that was used for divinatory purposes, such as physical healing, for seeking blessings upon one’s family and self, and for cursing enemies. Up until the end of the last century, the average British shire county had about forty of these wells; in what used to be called the Celtic Fringe, which included Cornwall, Wales, and Scotland, holy wells were far more common than any place else. As history goes, Holywell Bay had one such well as part of its main attraction; the well was the finish line for pilgrimages from other parishes. The actual location of the well that gave the town its name, however, is of much debate amongst members of the community, as well as local historians. Some say the well was based near the 18th tee of the local golf course. Others say that the well was located inside an oceanside cave, where the ocean has eroded the rock below it to resemble something not unlike steps, which reputedly reached upwards to the fabled well. Whichever location is true, the locals at least agree that the well did exist somewhere in the near vicinity. Holywell Bay’s many lifeguards can further explain this historical debate to you. As is obvious, Holywell Bay has extensive, if somewhat controversial, historical significance to the area. That, coupled with the incredible beauty nature has to offer in this lovely town, makes this a town well worth the visit. Whether you come to stay in a luxury bed and breakfast and taste the highly acclaimed fare at the local pubs, or whether you arrive with the sole intention of “roughing it” in the local caravan sites with morning dips in the sea, Holywell Bay has something for everyone. So make this a place to visit. Make it your own. Bring your family and make memories that last a lifetime. Visit Holywell Bay!

Accommodation
Charming self-catering cottages and comfy caravans are both on offer at Holywell Bay.

Camping
Camping-out is the favourite type of accommodation, in Holywell Bay. 'Holywell Bay Holiday Park' and 'Trevornock Holiday Park' have a wide range of caravans to suit different needs and budgets.

Restaurants
St. Piran's Inn
Sitting prettily on the beach is 'St. Piran’s Inn'. It offers you "a pub and restaurant, outdoor seating, a rear beer garden for lunch and a pint, a dining room and traditional bar area". And on some days it even offers you a barbeque treat!

Treguth Pub
A short walk into the village will lead you to the delightful 'Treguth pub'. Here, you can get your share of the local sea-food and some "real ale".

Family Fun
Holywell Bay is the place where your entire family can laugh, play and make merry. It's the perfect package for non-stop holiday fun!

Random Webcams

A visit to Cornwall is never quite complete unless Holywell Bay is included in the agenda. With a sweeping sandy beach and sand dunes, Holywell Bay is perfect for surfing and swimming. Besides, a curious mind will have lots to explore either in the Sea Cave or Holy Well. The cliff walks at Holywell Bay promise spectacular views of wildlife and scenery. Historical myths and legends of Cornwall can be experienced at Tunnels Through Time where several exhibits depicting the story are displayed. For the young at heart, Holywell’s Fun Park guarantees hours of fun and laughter. Revisiting the Romantic era aboard the Lappa valley Steam Railway will take you through the Cornish Valley. Holywell Bay has all this and more, which will definitely tug at your heart to return for more….